Cultivation techniques of Radix Astragali

Astragalus membranaceus is a plant of the genus Astragalus Leguminosae, and its roots can be used as medicine. It has the effects of tonifying qi, solidifying the surface, diuresis and purulent discharge. Many people are planting it. What is the cultivation technique of Astragalus membranaceus?

Cultivation techniques of Radix Astragali

1. Astragalus membranaceus is a deep-rooted plant, flat land cultivation should choose high dry terrain, good drainage, loose and fertile sandy soil, mountain area should choose deep soil layer, good drainage, leeward to the sun hillside or wasteland planting.

2. Soil preparation should be carried out after land selection, and it is better to turn the land in autumn, generally ploughing 30-45 cm deep, applying basic fertilizer, applying 2500-3000 kg of farm manure per mu, and paying attention to soil moisture conservation in spring ploughing, then raking fine and leveling, border or ridging.

3. Get rid of impurities, shrunken grains and worm-eaten seeds first. The seed coat of Astragalus membranaceus is relatively hard and not easy to germinate. Before sowing, the seed must be treated with coarse sand or grinding machine to slightly rub the seed coat. The seeds can also be soaked in warm water of 50 ℃ for 6-12 hours, and then put into a cloth bag to promote germination.

4. Spring sowing, summer sowing and autumn sowing. Spring sowing from mid-April to early May, summer sowing from late June to early July, and autumn sowing from late September to early October. Spring sowing should pay attention to soil moisture.

5. The sowing methods include hole sowing, strip sowing and sowing, but they are mainly hole sowing and strip sowing. Direct seeding is often used in production, which is convenient for field management, labor-saving, high output and good quality. Seedling transplanting is not only labor-consuming, but also easy to hurt the main root during transplanting, forming Astragalus membranaceus, affecting the quality of drugs.

6. After the seedlings come out in the same year, the soil can be loosened and weeded, usually 2-3 times. When the seedling height is 7-10 cm, the seedlings are thinned, and the seedlings are determined according to the plant distance of 15-20 cm.

7. In the growing period, the soil will be loosened and weeded every year according to the soil consolidation and the growth of weeds. Sowing 1-2-year-old Radix Astragali grows vigorously and the root develops rapidly, so it can be combined with ploughing and weeding to apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizer properly.

8. More water is needed in emergence and rejuvenation period. In case of drought, irrigation should be carried out in time. The soil moisture is high in the rainy season, and the land prone to stagnant water should be drained in time to prevent rotting roots.

9. During the growth period, Astragalus membranaceus mainly paid attention to the control of powdery mildew, root rot, aphids and pod borer.

① powdery mildew: it can occur from seedling stage to adult plant, which mainly harms leaves and pods. Before or at the initial stage of the disease, spray Baume 0.3 degree stone sulfur mixture every 15 days, or spray with 50% topiramate 800-1000 times, once every 10 days, 2 or 3 times in a row.

② root rot: mainly harms the roots and causes root rot. In the case of high temperature, high humidity and heavy clay, the disease is more likely to occur. Prevention and control methods: select a good planting site, strengthen field management, remove diseased plants in time, disinfect disease holes with lime, and apply 70% per mu during soil preparation.

③ aphids: mainly erode the tender stems and leaves of the upper part of the plant, thus affecting the normal growth and development. Control method: spray with 1500-2000 times of 40% dimethoate EC and 1000 times of 50% fenitrothion, once every 7 days.

④ pod borer: the worm lays eggs on young pods or buds, and the hatched larvae erode the seeds. Control methods: during the peak period of adults, 1500-fold solution of 80% crystal trichlorfon was sprayed in the evening, once every 7-10 days, 3-5 times in a row, until the seeds were all ripe.

After 3-4 years, the root of Radix Astragali can be harvested, do not damage its outer skin when digging. Seeds should also be picked as they ripen.